STRONG SERVICE OPPOSITION TO DEFENCE CUTS

Chronicle (Levin), 21 October 1949, Page 5

STRONG SERVICE OPPOSITION TO DEFENCE CUTS

fN Z P A,

— Rp.uter.

Copyriaht)

rceceivea rriaay, a.oo a.m. LONDON. Oct. 20. Mr. Attlee and the Leader of the Opposition. Mr. Churchill, tonight had a further talk on defence, including atomic bomb developments. They were joined by their principal

.colleagues. It is understood that the discussions didj not embrace Britain's proposed new economy placns. j Earlier today the full British Cabinet discussed proposals for de- | fence cuts and conscription :changes, some of which it is believed are being strongiy opposed by the service chiefs. Reuter says it is probable that .the service chiefs will yield only [under strong Cabinet pressure to 'any substantial trimming. There is a strong party demand that the cuts should be shared by the services and growing pressure for some revision of the conscription poiicy. Mus+ Do Better Than This. The necessity for economies in British Government expenditure is emphasised by comparisons of current expenditure and revenue figures with those for the corresponding period of last year. These comparisons show that during the first six months of the 'present fiscal year, Government spending has been £220,000,000 more than it was during the first six months of 1948. Revenue, on the other hand, has brought in about £40,000,000 less. This means that last year's surplus of £240,000,000 has been transformed into a small deficit. The situation is even worse than the figures disclose for last year the Government repaid £200,000,000 I of debt whereas in the first half of the current year it borrowed ,£250,000,000.